i certainly wouldn't want to be paid in stock or options. executives are responsible for maximising shareholder value, so wouldn't a better approach be some kind of qantas employee mutual fund? it would double as a voting bloc.
there are only two ways for a stock to be trading low over a long period
either
1. the market is bearish.
2. profit or future profitiability had dropped
in the first instance there is nothing to be done. so long as company profits remain stable dividends would still be paid out regardless of the share price.
in the second instance well you're fucked either way. decreased profit means that you'd either get a pay cut or the chop. so it's a lose-lose situation.
the whole idea of giving your employees shares in the company is that in effect they become part owners of the firm, so they won't do dumb shit, such as striking, that would seriously impact on the earnings of the company. they're likely to work harder as well.